Funding Information

The City is looking for ways to keep this ask of the community’s taxpayers to a minimum through the efficient design, construction, and operation of the center. It is important to note that the costs developed during the feasibility study are intentionally conservative and include escalation to the year of construction (for capital) or opening (for operations).

$65.4 Million Capital Bond

20-year repayment

5% interest

1.18/$1,000 in assessed value

Example: $427,090 average assessed value* of a home in West Linn

$502 per year for the average home

$42 per month for the average home

An alternate approach to funding would be to split the cost into two parts, a portion paid by bonds and the other for outside fundraising or cost reductions. One example, based on community input during this process, would be to ask voters to approve $45 million in bonds and the City to find the $20.4 million balance in other ways.

While this approach might initially seem more appealing, the challenge is the uncertainty. There is no guarantee that West Linn could secure $20.4 million in donations and grants, and the process would be lengthy and require considerable effort by staff, elected officials, and the community.

$45 Million Capital Bond

20-year repayment

5% interest

0.81/$1,000 in assessed value

Example: $427,090 average assessed value of a home in West Linn

$345 per year for the average home

$29 per month for the average home

Additional Fundraising Options

• Grants
• Private donations
• State or Federal funding

Cost Savings Options

• Remove or delay specific features.

Target Goal: $20.4 million

Operating and Maintaining a Community Recreation Center (Operations)

One major challenge of all public projects is the ongoing cost of operations and maintenance. The cost to operate and maintain the facility as it is currently conceptualized was developed by Ballard*King, a national expert in the operation of recreation facilities. This preliminary operations plan considers the operation of similar facilities locally and nationwide, accounting for the major costs, such as staffing and materials, and the revenue sources such as rentals, drop-in fees, and memberships.  With both costs and revenues considered, the Community Recreation Center will need an average of $1,055,000 per year. While not as large as the capital cost needs, the money for operations will continue or increase for every year the center is open. Similarly to the capital costs the City does not have money in the budget for the increased operations while simultaneously maintaining the current level of other recreational services. There are two options the City can consider for operating a future facility: a local option levy (property tax) or an increase in the Park Maintenance Fee (utility fee).

Local Option Levy for Operations

• Total funds needed: $1,055,000
• Requires voter approval
• 5-year maximum duration, would need to be renewed after that
• $0.24/$1,000 in assessed value
• Example: $427,090 average assessed value of a home in West Linn

$105 per year for the

 average home

$8.75 per month for the average home

Park Maintenance Fee Increase

• Total funds needed: $1,055,000
• Existing fee can be increased by City Council
• Continues until changed by City Council
• 39% increase* in the existing parks maintenance fee charged monthly on utility bills
• Single-family fee increase from
  $21.23  to $29.38 per month
• Multi-family fee increase from
  $20.16 to $27.90 per month